Curse of the Gypsy Cabs

Gypsies are the free spirited Roman people living in Eastern Europe and other parts of the world. Romanian people of course are a separate and distinct group from the Roma. The Roma have leant their name to suggest a wandering lifestyle.

“Gypsy Taxis” are something completely different and have nothing to do with the Roma or Romanians and usually refer to an unmarked or unregistrated vehicle. These can prove a real danger to travelers.

Gypsy cabs are worldwide and may involve any type of vehicle.

These cabs typically will troll next to or alongside registered taxis and attempt to undercut their business. Since they are unlicensed they pay no taxes so you will not receive a receipt.

Travelers may get a “deal” on a cheaper ride but you also get what you pay for.

There are cases of fares taken to remote areas then robbed and killed. Others re dumped and their luggage in the trunk taken. Once in a cab they become a prisoner rather than a passenger.

Gypsy cabs are seen more in troubled countries.

Some suggestions on how to avoid being taken for a ride you don t want:

Avoid the tout- someone trying to hard to solicit your business. They are aggressive and seek out the susceptible travelers. Many are in fact legitimate business scouts but unless you can verify they represent a company beware.

Select taxis from an official taxi stand or through a hotel. Even if you aren't staying at the Four seasons you can ask the concierge to call you a cab.

Real cab drivers have a valid id (not expired) and a cab that is defined as an official cab. Make sure the person matches the id on the photo!

It is always preferable to find a cab with a working meter although this is not strictly a defining feature of legitimate cabs.

If a cab ride goes sour be prepared to bail out. This is why it is best not to put luggage in the trunk.

I bailed out of a cab when a driver kept pretending he was lost yet failed to ask any service stations for help. I jumped out with my luggage at a gas station in front of other people and quickly caught another cab that got me to my destination.

Taxi drivers in both the developing and developed world have to eke out a living while taking a lot of abuse from their fares and even sometimes violence.

Supporting grey market economies like gypsy cabs makes it harder for them and promotes corruption.

It is the rare situation where people are actually assaulted but gypsy cabdrivers also waste your time and money since many don t even know where they re going!